Jaishree Sharma

Role of AgNORs in thyroid lesions on fine needle aspiration cytology smears

Background: Fine needle aspiration has an important role in diagnosis of thyroid neoplasm. However, it is difficult to differentiate between follicular adenoma and follicular carcinoma by cytology alone. Recently, silver staining has been performed for nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) to differentiate various tumors. Aims: The present study was undertaken to see if the AgNOR technique could distinguish between benign and malignant lesions, particularly, follicular neoplasm. Materials and Methods: One hundred forty cases of thyroid lesions were examined, which included colloid goiter (n = 36), multinodular goiter (n = 38), subacute thyroiditis (n = 6), Hashimotos thyroiditis (n = 17), lymphocytic thyroiditis (n = 3), follicular neoplasm (n = 18), Hurthle cell neoplasm (n = 3), papillary carcinoma (n = 16), and medullary carcinoma (n = 3). Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology in 80 cases. The usual one-step silver colloidal reaction was performed at room temperature for 35 minutes and intranuclear dots of silver deposits were counted in 100 cells. Results: AgNOR counts of benign and malignant lesions were compared and were found to be statistically significant (P Conclusions: AgNOR counting in fine needle aspiration smears is a simple, sensitive, and cost-effective method for differentiating benign from malignant thyroid follicular neoplasms.

Hormone Receptor Status of Breast Cancer in the Himalayan Region of Northern India

The role of hormone receptors as a prognostic and therapeutic tool in breast cancer is widely accepted. The frequency of nonreactivity of estrogen and progesterone receptors in breast cancer patients of India is much more common than in the West. This study was conducted with the aim of analysis of steroid receptor status in breast cancer with clinico-pathological characteristics from the northern hilly state of Himachal Pradesh, India located in the region of the Western Himalayas. Fifty five consecutive patients with the diagnosis of breast cancer were included in this study. Detailed clinical and histopathologic data was recorded in all cases. Estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. On immunohistochemical staining, 34.5% cases proved to be estrogen receptor positive and 36.4% cases progesterone receptor positive. The results in the present study documented low estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positivity in breast cancer from this region of India.

Matrix-producing mammary carcinoma: A rare breast tumor

Matrix-producing carcinoma of the breast is a unique subclass of metaplastic carcinoma which is characterized by the existence of a ductal carcinomatous component with direct transition to areas showing cartilagenous or osseous differentiation, lacking an interspersed spindle cell component. This article reports one such rare case in a 50-year-old woman who had a right breast mass. f0 ine needle aspiration (FNA) smears showed abundant chondromyxoid extracellular matrix to which were variably admixed carcinomatous cells. Histological examination revealed a neoplasm composed of invave ductal carcinoma with a direct transition to chondrosarcomatous areas. The case is reported not only for its peculiar microscopic characteristics but also to highlight its better prognostic features and hence, the need for its recognition.

Nodular Fasciitis of the Hand - A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall in Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology

Nodular fasciitis is an uncommon, benign myofibroblastic soft tissue tumour. It is infrequently seen in the hand. A case of nodular fasciitis involving the thumb of a 4-year-old male child is presented. Main significance lies in clinical and pathological recognition of the lesion to avoid over-treatment. Nodular fasciitis remains a difficult diagnosis by fine needle aspiration cytology, particularly when it occurs in locations such as the hand.

Primary giant cell tumour of soft parts - Report of a case with fine needle aspiration cytology and histology findings

A cytohistopathological study of a rare case of giant cell tumour of soft tissues in a 30-year-old male patient is presented. The cytological features when evaluated in conjunction with clinical and radiological features are sufficiently diagnostic. The primary knowledge of its existence and knowledge of its cytological features are important for a correct preoperative cytologic diagnosis.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the uterine cervix is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SSC). It differs from the usual SSC of the cervix in its morphology and clinical behavior and shows a better prognosis than the more common SSC of the cervix. We report a case of LELC of the cervix, diagnosed on the basis of histopathology in a 42-year-old female who presented with a history of postcoital bleeding.

Metastatic ovarian tumor.

58-year-old woman with a history of breast carcinoma presented with a bilateral ovarian tumor. On fine needle aspiration cytology, diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma was made. At subsequent hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy, specimen showed extensive metastatic carcinoma involving both ovaries.

Testicular retiform Sertoli cell tumor: a problem in histopathologic diagnosis.

A 9-year-old boy who presented with a left scrotal swelling was subsequently diagnosed as retiform sertoli cell tumor of testis which consisted entirely of retiform pattern. The case is reported in view of its rarity in this age group as well as its unique histologic appearance.